The selection of new melsanthi to Lord Ayyappa temple took place on Thursday morning at Sannidhanam, following Usha Pooja at 8 am. Arun Kumar Namboothiri, a resident of Kollam Sakthikulangara, has been selected as the new melsanthi (chief priest) of Sabarimala. 

He previously served as the melsanthi of Attukal from 2015 to 2017 and is currently the melsanthi at Kollam Lakshmi Nada.

Arun Kumar Namboothiri is the 16th melsanthi chosen through the lottery draw procedure, which was drawn by Hrishikesh, the youngest member of the Pandalam palace. The new melsanthi was choosen from a list of 25 candidates and for the Malikappuram Devi temple from a list of 15.

Vasudevan Namboodiri has been selected as the melsanthi for the Malikappuram Devi temple.

The newly selected melsanthis will officially take charge on November 16, with the start of the 2024-25 pilgrimage season, and will serve a one-year term.

A total of 24 candidates applied for the Sabarimala temple melsanthi post, while 15 applied for the Malikappuram temple. The draw was conducted in the presence of a High Court observer.